Warbling whistle



WARBLING WHISTLE John H. Bacon, Wellesley, Mass; Robert C. Bacon, administrator of said John H. Bacon, deceased Application February 10, 1956, Serial No. 564,817

14 Claims. (Cl. 46-118) The present invention relates to an improved construction for a warbling whistle. The present invention provides a design for a warbling whistle which is particularly adapted to be manufactured of plastic material and which can be animated.

One of the most important considerations in the manufacture and sale of toy whistles, is the cost of manufacture, for the toy whistle trade is a highly competitive market with the result that sales success is in a large measure dependent upon manufacturing costs. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a whistle which may be manufactured with a minimum labor-and material cost. This is accomplished in a large part by providing a whistle, manufactured entirely of plastic, with the plastic component parts being readily assembled. Included among the plastic members which are used in the structure of the present whistle, is a plastic stem adapted to provide a warbling sound to the whistle. This particular device enables a whistle to be constructed without the requirement of expensive spring steel members ordinarily used in similar types of whistles.

It is also an object of the present invention, to provide a warbling whistle construction which is of rugged construction and which will operate with a greater degree of certainty than those heretofore known. In this connection it should be noted that the warbling whistles of the prior art normally utilized a leaf spring structure which dips into the air stream efiectively deflecting it and thus creating a warbling sound. Such whistle is shown in my prior Patent No. 2,697,298, patented December 21, 1954.

These whistles however will not operate properly if the leaf spring is bent or otherwise deformed, as often accidentally occurs. These problems presented by the use of, such metal leaf spring both in the manufacture and sale, have been a considerable problem. In the present invention, however, a rigid deflecting member preferably manufactured of a plastic material, is utilized. This particular deflecting member, being rigid, does not present the same problems as those presented by utilization of a flexible leaf spring. Thus by the use of this rigid member which is pivotally supported, a more certain operation and ruggedness of construction may be obtained.

Further consideration in the present invention is the provision of a whistle structure which is adapted to be modified into a variety of attractive designs of commercial desirability.

In t e present invention, these by providing a whistle structure in which animation is readily obtained in part through the movement of the warbling stem, and in part through the movement of associated members. The present invention also provides a structure in which a variable sound may be selectively obtained independently of or simultaneously with an animation of the whistle.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:."

features are obtained 2,927,399 th red Mar. 8,1960

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the invention with the stem in an operative position.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional side view of the invention taken substantially along the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional side elevation of a modification of the invention with the stem in an operative position.

Figure4 is a cross sectional side view of another modification of the invention with the stem in an operative position.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional side elevation of another modification of the invention with the stem in an operative position.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional side view of another modification of the invention. 7

Figure 7 is a front elevation of a detail of the structure shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional plan view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Figure 6, and,

Figure 9 is a cross sectional side elevation of another modification of the invention.

Referring specifically to the drawing of Figure 1 and able means such as cement. If desired, these two halves,

2 and 3, may interfit at their edges by a tongue and groove joint, or may if desired, have an abutting edge properly cemented together. Each of these halves 2 and, 3 are provided with complementary interior structures such as is shown in cross section in Figure 2. Thus within the casing 1, there is provided an air inlet passage 5 extending from the mouth end 6 of the whistle to the constricted passage 7. This constricted passage 7, is formed between the roof 8 and the constricting wall 9. This constricted passage 7 directs a flow of air towards the knife edge 10, which is formed as a portion of the roof section 8. An opening 11 is provided between the end of theconstricted passage 7 and the knife edge 10. The end 13 of a deflecting stem, generally designated as 12, projects through the opening 11. The stem 12 is formed of plastic material such as polystyrene, and consists preferablyof an elongated stem section bent at one end 13, at an angle substantially normal to the main portion 14 of the stem.

The other end of the stem forms a ball socket 16 and consists essentially of two parallel arms 17 and 18 spaced apart from one' another with openings 19 formed in the face of either arm. These arms have some degree of resiliency which permits them to be forced about the ball 20 formed at the top of projecting stem 21. This stem 21 is in turn formed as a portion of the base 22, cemented or otherwise suitably secured to the roof 8. The ball 20 and socket 16 permit a free vertical pivoting of the stem 12 in such a manner that the end 13 may be moved readily up and down into the opening 11 and in such a manner that the end 13 will deflect the air passing through the constricted opening 7 from the knife edge 10, thus cutting oif the whistle sound. It is to benoted that the stem 12 is provided with its pivoted end closer to the mouth piece 6. It is to be noted that a section of the stem 12 forms a covering-like section which extends towards the monthend above the constricted opening 7.

In Figure 3 there is shown a modification of the present'invention, in which the casing 30 is formed in a, similar manner as described in connection with the structureshown in Figure 1. The inside of this casing 30, has

a wall section 31, forming together with one side of the" casing, an air passage 32, which extends from *the'mouth piece 33 to a constricted mouth opening 34. This con stricted mouth opening 34, is formed by the end 'ofithel wall 31 and the projecting wall 35. Air passingthrough 'l this constricted opening 34, is directed on to the knife edge 36 formed at the end of the Wall 37, which may if desired be formedintegrally with a top wall 33; In

ing 45 between the air deflecting knife edge 36 and the constrictedopening 34. This deflecting-lip 44 is adapted to.be pivoted down into andout of this opening 45. in this modification, there is preferably provided a-stern 47 V/hiChyiS integral with-and extends upwardly from the lip end or the warbling stern. This stem-47 has supported at.its-upper end afigurine such as a bird figure 48. This stem 47 projects through an opening slot 49 in the top 38t.of: ;the whistle casing. If desired a cage like member 50 may be formed about the warbling bird figure 48 to simulate a bird in a cage setting. In the operation of this modification when air is blown through the mouth opening 33, the airwill pass through the constricted opening 34; The air thus passing through the constricted opening 34, will force itself up against the downwardly extending lip 44,'which substantially covers this constricted'opening When thus being acted upon by the force of: air, the warbling stem will pivot upwardly simultaneously permitting air to impinge on the knife causing a whistling sound and also causing an apparent animation to'.the figurine 48; This warbling stem 40 will fall by itsrown'weight back into the opening 45, thus causing an- -interruption andconsequent warbling sound to emanatetfrom the whistle. In this construction as well as in the others described, it is to be noted that the lip member at-the end of the warbling stem, must be of sufficient size" to satisfactorily impede the flow of air against the knife edge The'warbling stem, however, should not be sotheavy as to prevent the air being forced into the cnstricted opening from lifting, in a pivoting fashion, this warblingstem from between the constricted passage and the knife edge. Nor should the warbling stem be so light as to always remain in a raised position outside of the air stream' between the constricted opening and the knife edge. Thus the warbling stem must have just enough weight to fall back into the air stream once it has been pivoted upwardly out of the air stream.

In Figure 4 there is shown a still further modification of the invention in which the casing 60 is made in a fashion similar'to that described previously in connection with-the other modifications. In this structure there is provided an air passage 61 which conducts air from the mouthpiece 62 to the constricted air passage 63 formed betweenthe roof 64 and the wall 65. This constricted air passage 63, directs air across the opening 66 in the roof 64 against the knife edge 67 formed transversely across the roof 64. In this modification, the warbling stem 68gis supported in the structure 69which is formed I warbling whistie sound.

on the warbling stem with this section 75 having an eye disc '76 formed at its end. This eye disc is designed to align with an opening 77 in the wall of the bird, shaped as an eye opening. This structure operates similarly to the one previously described with the Warbling stem 68 pivoting up and down into the. opening 66 to provide a Simultaneous animation is obtained in both the tongue and eye of the bird figure.

In Figure 5 there is shown a modification ofthe present invention having a casing 86, constricted opening 81, mouth opening 82 and air deflecting knife edge 83' formed in a manner as previously described. In this structure the warbling stem 84 is'pivoted at a loop end 85 to the transversely extending pin 86 which is formed integrally with the side wall of the casingitfi, in the upper compartment section 87. This warbling stem 84 has a downwardiy extendinglip 88 adapted to interrupt the flow of in a suitable ornamental fashion, such forexample as a bird'figurer This supporting bird structure 69 is formed of two-half sections withthe half sections each' integrally connepted' with the casing 60 at 70. The, warbling stem 68-"is' supported within this .bird structure 69 on a transversely extending. pin 71 formed integrally with the side of the .bird figure. This warbling. stem. 68 which is freely pivotable about the pin 71 at one end, has a downwardly extending lipsection 72 formed at its: other end. This lip section72 is preferably formed to simulate the tongue 7 of .the-birdiand projects outwardly from the bird struc turn :69. through that portion of it which forms the mouth ofsthewbirdt The extreme. end of thislip section 72 projects into; the gopcning, 66 and .forms. a deflecting tip .73.;

air into the opening 89. An upwardly extending section. 90 at the tip end of the Warbling stem, projects into the:

mouth of the bird figure 91 formed above the casing This projecting section should be so arranged'relative to the mouth of the bird figure 91 as to'simulate movementofthe tongue upon up and down movement of therwarbling stem. If desired new disc 92 may bepositioned at the end of this section 90 to. move acrossa corresponding eye opening in the bird figure 91.

95- at the bottom of the bird figure.

Other equivalent structures for supporting this birdform may of-course be utilized.

At the end of the bird form there is a projecting portion 96 which passes downwardly through an opening 97 in the roof of the casing. This projecting section 96 is adapted to engage the irregularly arranged surface 98'of the longitudinally extending operating rod 99. This operating rod 99 projects through the end 100 of the easing and has supported at its other end a piston member 101. The operating rod and piston are adapted to be moved longitudinally within the resonant chamber section 102, providing a resonant chamber of variablesize.

In the operation of this modification, a simultaneous movement of the bird tongue, eye and body may be-obtainedtogether with a selected warbling variation determined by the configuration of the surface 98. This war-- bling variation is accompanied by a change in the notes being played.

In'Figure 6 there 'is illustrated a modification having a' casing forming by means of the inner wall section 111, air conducting chamber 112 which extends from the mouth opening-113 to the constricted air opening 114. This constricted airopening 114 extends downwardly and is directed towards the air deflecting knife edge 115 formedintegrally with the bottom wall of the casing 110. Pivotally supported from a supporting structure 116, in this case formed in the shape of a bird cage, is the warbling stem 117. This warbling stem 117 alsoshown in.

Figure 7, has a pair of opposite legs 118 and 119,"ar.-' ranged parallel with the end discs 120 and 121 cooperating to form a socket. These members 120 and 121 have pivotal movement of the warbling stem 117 in a-for wardiand backward' direction. Thelower end of /this; warblingstem is .providediwith abird figure '125 formedza.. on the cross piece 126. A downwardly extending gendn;

Th5..- bird figure 91 is formed of a shell of plastic material, pivotally supported above the casing 80. The-support may comprise a projecting boss 93 having an opening through which pins 94 formed integrally with the side wails of the bird member 91 may pivotally project. This projecting boss or knob 93 passes through an opening section 127 of the warbling stern, terminates in an inwardly turned lip 128, which is adapted to swing between the constricted opening 114 and the knife edge 115. The pivotal movement of the warbling stem is directed in the back and forth motion by the shape of the slot formed in the roof of the casing 11% and through which the lower section of the warbling stem projects. This modification provides a whistle structure in which the warbling sound is accompanied by a back and forth motion of the bird figure within the cage.

In Figure 9 there is shown a further modification of the invention in which the air constricting passage 140, knife edge 141, air conducting passage 142 and'mouth opening 143 are similar to those described in connection with Figure 6. 144 is supported in a central location by a pin 145 extending from and integral with the side wall of'the casing 146. This pin 145 projects through a boss 147 formed on the warbling stem 144. The upper end of this warbling stem 144, has a bird like figure 148 positioned within the cage member 149 formed on the casing. The warbling stem projects into this cage 149 through a slot 150 which acts to guide the warbling stem in a back and forth motion, similar to that as described in connection with the modification of Figure 6. The lower end of this warbling stem is inwardly extending and forms the lip 151 which projects between the air constricting opening 140 and the knife edge 1141. This modification operates in a manner similar to those previously described in which an oscillating motion of the figure is obtained by the force of the air passing out of the constricted mouth opening 149. An intermittent whistle sound is produced by the air as it is permitted to impinge upon the knife edge 141.

Having now described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A whistle having an air conduit terminating in a constricted air opening, an air deflecting edge aligned with said opening, a rigid stem having a lip section, and means pivotally supporting said stem to permit angular movement of said stem only about a fixed pivotal axis generally parallel to said edge with the lip section adapted to move downwardly to and upwardly from a position between said edge and opening, respectively under the force of gravity and under upward pressure of air against said lip section whereby said lip section will intermittently interrupt the flow of air between said edge and opening.

2. A whistle having an air conduit terminating in a constricted air opening, an air deflecting edge aligned with said opening, an elongated rigid stern having one end angularly turned to form a lip section, and means in part formed by the other end of said stem for pivotally supporting said stem to permit angular movement of said stem only about a fixed pivotal axis generally parallel to said edge with the lip section adapted to move downwardly to and upwardly from a position between said edge and opening, respectively under the force of gravity and under upward pressure of air against said lip section whereby said lip section will intermittently interrupt the fiow of air between said edge and opening.

3. A whistle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means pivotally supporting said stem comprise a ball and socket arrangement with said socket formed of a pair of facing surfaces with aligned recesses therein, said ball adapted to be resiliently received between said recesses.

4. In a whistle having a case forming an air conduit terminating in a constricted air opening and an air defleeting edge aligned-with said opening, a rigid stem having a lip section formed at one end and a ring sup port at the other, means including a pin generally parallel to said edge freely projecting through said ring support for pivotally supporting said stem with the lip section adapted to move downwardly to and upwardly from a position between said edge and opening, respectively under the force of gravity and under upward pressure of In this modification, the warbling stemair against said lip section whereby said lip section will intermittently interrupt the flow of ai r'betwee'n said edge"! and opening.

5. In a whistle having a case forming an air conduit terminating in aconstricted air opening and an air defleeting edge aligned with said opening, saidcase having the configuration of a creature formed thereon, a rigid stem having a lip section formed at one end in the shape of a' tongue projecting through the mouth of said creaand under upward pressure of air against said lip section whereby said lip section will intermittently interrupt the flow of air between said edge and opening.

6. A whistle as set forth in claim 5 wherein said stem has secured thereto an eye disc normally visible through an opening in said casing.

7. A whistle having an air conduit terminating in a constricted air opening, an air deflecting edge aligned with said opening, a resonant chamber with a piston positioned therein for varying the size of said chamber, a rigid stern having a lip section and means pivotally supporting said stem to permit angular movement of said stem only about a pivotal axis generally parallel to said edge with the lip section adapted to move downwardly to and upwardly from a position between said edge and opening, respectively under the force of gravity and under upward pressure of air against said lip section whereby said lip section will intermittently interrupt the flow of air between said edge and opening.

8. A whistle having an air conduit terminating in a constricted air opening, an air deflecting edge aligned with said opening, a resonant chamber with a piston positioned therein for varying the size of said chamber, a rigid stem having a lip section, a piston operating rod secured at one end to said piston and extending out of said resonant chamber at the other end, said rod having projecting elements adapted to actuate an animatible object on movement of said rod, and-means pivotally supporting said stem to permit angular movement of said stem only about a pivotal axis generally parallel to said edge with the lip section adapted to move downwardly to and upwardly from a position between said edge and opening, respectively under the force of gravity and under upward pressure of air against said lip section where by said lip section will intermittently interrupt the flow of air between said edge and opening.

9. A whistle as set forth in claim 8 wherein there is provided said animatible object comprising a creaturelike form pivotally secured to said whistle and having a portion engaging said projecting elements whereby said form will pivot on movement of said rod.

10. In a whistle structure, means for simultaneously emitting a warbling whistle of varying frequency and providing animation to an animatable figure and a component portion of it comprising means providing a constricted air flow with an aligned air deflecting edge, a pivotally animated figure, a pivotally supported rigid stern having fixed thereto a lip section and a freely associated component portion of said figure, a resonant chamber with a piston positioned therein for varying the size of said chamber, a piston operating rod secured at one end to said piston and extending out of said resonant chamber at the other end, said rod having projecting elements adapted to pivotally animate said figure on movement of said rod, and means pivotally supporting said stem with the lip section adapted to move to and from a position between said edge and opening whereby said lip section will intermittently interrupt the flow of air between said edge and opening, and said component portion will be simultaneously animated.

stemhasits'upper'portion normally visible andformed 11; A whistle as set:forth: in claim 1, wherein said in ,the shape of asswing with a bird figure mounted thereon;

ing a ball and socket joint.

13. A whistle having an air, conduit terminating in a constrictedair opening, an airdefiecting edge aligned with said opening,*a'rigid stern pivotally' suspended in its'center section to permit angular movement of said stem onlyabout a pivotal axis generally parallel to saidedgeand balanced in a nonnallyvertical' position with-a lipwectionextending angularly therefrom, said lip section adapted'to move downwardly to andupwardly sure of air'against said lip-section whereby said lip section WiIPintermittentIy intercept the flow of I air between said edge and opening.

'14, A whistle as set forth in claim 13 wherein .said

stem has fixedat its upper end a normally visible figurine adapted tobc aniniated upon movementof said stem.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS 1,739,569 Behn" Dec. 17, 1929 2,570,740 7 Wise Oct, 9, 1951 2,654,179 Bacon- Oct. 6, 1953 2,667,012 Bacon Jan. 26, 1954 2,684,554 Sigg July 27, 1954 2,697,298 Bacon Dec. 21, 1954 2,730,920 Bacon Jan. 17, 

